Vietnam raises voice on China's drills in the East Sea

Updated at Friday, 20 Apr 2018, 19:21

The Hanoitimes - Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Thursday rejected any activities in the East Sea without Hanoi`s unanimity as illegal.

Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence to prove its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, Le Thi Thu Hang, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesperson told the press, as questioned over recent reports on China's drills in the East Sea.
"Vietnam has legitimate rights over the country’s sea areas defined as in line with international laws, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)", Hang reiterated, adding all actions conducted in Paracel and Spratly archipelagos without Vietnam’s authorization are" "invalid and illegal”.
Hang stressed Vietnam’s clear and consistent stance that all nations should contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.
Earlier, satellite images taken on March 26 show a huge carrier-led fleet of Chinese ships in formation for spring exercises off the Coast of Hainan Island in the East Sea. Besides, China’s maritime Safety Administration on April 10 announced the massive drills in the East Sea.
Meanwhile, according to US military officials, China has deployed communications and radar jamming equipment to Spratly's Fiery Cross Reef, which is claimed by Vietnam. The deployment took place during the last 90 days, Wall Street Journal reported, cited US intelligence.